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Family law case studies

How real couples' property was divided after they separated: how long they were together, what each brought in, who earned and who cared for the children, and the split the court ordered. Each one is retold in plain English from the published judgment.

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Real decisions of the family law courts, with the names the court gave the parties. Lawcaptain did not act in these cases. Every outcome depends on its own facts.

Equal & everyday splits

Ordinary couples, a house, super and a mortgage. When does it come out 50/50, and when not quite?

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A man with a slight limp carries a box down the stairs of a strata block while a teenage girl watches from a balcony.52.5% to him, 47.5% to herHe earned the money and did most chores, yet the split ended near evenTogether13 years, de factoChildrenOne, aged 16Net poolAbout $618,000Split52.5% him / 47.5% herFederal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) · 5 February 2024Read the case studyA man and a woman stand apart outside a brick house in Perth with a blank agent's board on the lawn.55% to him, 45% to herA Perth de facto couple: his head start was worth 5% after 17 yearsTogether17 years, de factoChildrenThreeNet poolAbout $597,000Split55% him / 45% herFamily Court of Western Australia · 8 March 2019Read the case studyTwo parents pass a school backpack between them beside a ute in a Tasmanian driveway.50/50 of property; super dealt with separatelyShe earned more, but everything except super was split 50/50TogetherAbout 15 years, de factoChildrenTwo, aged 12 and 9Net poolAbout $485,000 + superSplit50/50 of propertyFederal Circuit Court of Australia · 7 May 2020Read the case studyA couple sit apart at a kitchen table in a half-renovated house with a laptop between them.Equal split of property and superThey logged every house payment, and still split 50/50TogetherAbout 9 years, marriedChildrenNoneNet poolAbout $1.33 millionSplit50% eachFederal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) · 31 January 2023Read the case studyA woman in a work uniform hangs washing in a small backyard while two teenagers, seen from behind, kick a ball.55% to her, 45% to himThe stay-at-home parent's share: equal, plus 5% for the years aheadTogether16 years, marriedChildrenTwo teenagersNet poolAbout $627,000Split55% her / 45% himFederal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) · 27 January 2023Read the case studyA man and a woman stand on opposite sides of the doorway of an empty commercial unit.Equal splitHis inheritance, her years with the kids: an even split after 22 yearsTogether22 years, marriedChildrenTwo, now adultsNet poolAbout $863,000Split50% eachFederal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) · 27 October 2025Read the case study

Short relationships

Together for a few years. What happens when one person brought in most of the assets?

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A tradesman works on a half-built deck behind a suburban house while a woman watches from the back door.70% to her, 30% to himShe brought the house, he paid and renovated: 70/30 after four yearsTogetherAbout 4 years, de factoChildrenOne togetherNet poolAbout $540,000Split70% her / 30% himFederal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) · 18 December 2023Read the case studyA young woman sits on the step of a small new house with her dog beside her, looking tired and thoughtful.82% to her, 18% to himA $150,000 pool, a gambling problem, and who keeps the dogTogether4 to 5 years, de factoChildrenNoneNet poolAbout $152,000Split82% her / 18% himFederal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) · 5 August 2022Read the case studyAn older man stands in the garden of a weathered brick house with a small cabin behind it, looking serious.Her claim dismissed: no orderThey kept their money separate, so the court made no orderTogetherOver 4 years, de factoChildrenNone togetherNet poolAbout $1.6 millionResultHer claim dismissedFederal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) · 4 July 2022Read the case studySeen from behind, a young mother carrying a toddler and holding an older boy's hand walks towards rental townhouses, with packed boxes at the kerb.15% to her, 85% to himUnder three years, a toddler, and his house bought before they metTogetherUnder 3 years, de factoChildrenOne, aged 3Net poolAbout $924,000Split15% her / 85% himFederal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) · 24 December 2025Read the case studyAn older woman stands at the gate of a small rural cottage holding an envelope, looking at the house.73% to her, 27% to himTwelve years after they split, the court gave her the houseTogetherAbout 6 years, marriedChildrenNone togetherNet poolAbout $206,000Split73% her / 27% himFederal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) · 8 July 2025Read the case studyA woman in her fifties sits at a table with a letter and a calculator, looking out a window, tired and resigned.15% to her, 85% to him: $27,787Under two years together, but she had sold her only propertyTogetherUnder 2 years, de factoChildrenNoneNet pool$185,250Split15% her / 85% himFederal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) · 30 August 2022Read the case study

Relationships with children

Eight to twenty years, children, a house, super and a mortgage: the most common property split.

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A mother in a work uniform hurrying out of a clinic corridor at the end of a shift.75% to her outside super; super shared equallyFull-time care, a casual job, and 75% of the property outside superTogether15 years, marriedChildrenTwo, with their motherNet pool$520,547 outside superSplit75% her / 25% himFederal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) · 28 June 2024Read the case studyA woman leaning on a farm fence at dusk with livestock in the paddock and a truck parked by a distant shed.57.5% to him, 42.5% to herHe brought in property and bought a business: 57.5% to himTogether2002 to 2016, one breakChildrenTwoNet poolAbout $949,000 with superSplit57.5% him / 42.5% herFederal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) · 22 September 2023Read the case studyA father with an injured arm packing school lunches in a small rented kitchen early in the morning.80% to him, 20% to her (outside super)On a pension with the children, he was awarded 80% outside superTogetherAbout 15 years, marriedChildrenTwo, with their fatherNet pool$171,250 outside superSplit80% him / 20% herFederal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) · 28 October 2025Read the case studyTwo family dogs curled together on a backyard lawn, watched by a man standing at the side gate.60% to her, 40% to him (outside super)An inheritance, a $257,000 pool and the family dogTogetherAbout 10 years, de factoChildrenTwo, with their motherNet pool$257,152 outside superSplit60% her / 40% himFederal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) · 6 September 2024Read the case studyA man looking at a bank statement beside boxes of unsold sports clothing in a spare room.51% to her, 49% to himSuper spent after separation, step-children and a 51/49 splitTogetherAlmost 12 years, marriedChildrenTwo, one with each parentNet pool$420,977 including superSplit51% her / 49% himFederal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) · 17 March 2026Read the case studyA woman on her front path holding an envelope just handed to her at the door.75% to her, 25% to himUnpaid mortgage, unpaid tax, $82 in child support: 75% to herTogether12 years, marriedChildrenTwo, with their motherNet pool$355,037 outside superSplit75% her / 25% himFederal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) · 22 December 2023Read the case study

Long relationships

Twenty years or more. When is it an equal split, and when is it not?

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An older man stands beside a caravan at an emptying camping show at dusk.65% to her, 35% to himShe said their money was separate for 20 years. He was awarded 35%TogetherAbout 20 years, de factoChildrenNone togetherNet poolAbout $2.7m, incl. superSplit65% her / 35% himFederal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) · 24 December 2025Read the case studyA tired woman sits at a kitchen table at night with a chequebook and pen pushed away from her.67.5% to her, 32.5% to himA 38-year marriage, a controlling husband and 67.5% for the wifeTogether38 years, marriedChildrenTwo, both adultsNet poolAbout $5.48m, incl. superSplit67.5% her / 32.5% himFederal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) · 11 April 2025Read the case studyA modest house with a granny flat out the back, a woman on the side path and an older man waiting by the kerb.52% to him, 48% to herForty years, one modest home, and a 52/48 split for the older husbandTogetherAbout 40 years, marriedChildrenFour, all adultsNet poolAbout $982,500Split52% him / 48% herFederal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) · 19 September 2024Read the case studyAn older woman sits at her kitchen table holding a house key, an airmail envelope and letters beside her.Whole home to her, with its mortgageAfter 41 years, he kept the overseas money and she kept the houseTogether41 years, marriedChildrenTwo, both adultsNet poolJust over $300,000ResultHome and mortgage to herFederal Circuit Court of Australia · 5 August 2020Read the case studyAn elderly man in a wheelchair sits by the window of an aged care room holding a framed photograph.Equal splitMarried at 57, she died mid-case, and her estate was awarded halfTogetherAbout 35 years, marriedChildrenNone togetherNet poolAbout $900,400Split50% eachFederal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) · 2 September 2022Read the case studyAn older man in a cardigan reads through a thick binder of old bank statements at his dining table.72% to her, 28% to himSeparated 20 years, she inherited a fortune, and he kept the homeTogether25 years, marriedChildrenTwo, both adultsNet pool$1.08m, pension excludedSplit72% her / 28% himFederal Circuit Court of Australia · 23 July 2020Read the case study

Inheritances, gifts & windfalls

An inheritance, money from parents, a payout or a family farm. Does it go into the pool?

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A woman sits in the open door of a well-kept older car outside a modest regional house.77.2% to her, 22.8% to himHer disability payout bought the house, and she kept itTogetherAbout 8 years, de factoChildrenNone togetherNet poolAbout $652,000Split77.2% her / 22.8% himFederal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) · 27 July 2023Read the case studyAn elderly man sits alone in a court corridor holding a folder of papers.53% to him, 47% to herHis father's money: a loan to repay, or a gift?TogetherAbout 11 years, marriedNet poolAbout $139,000Split53% him / 47% herFederal Circuit Court of Australia · 8 May 2020Read the case studyAn older woman on a country verandah looks out over established gardens on a misty morning.82.5% to her, 17.5% to himShe brought in $718,000 and an inheritance. He left with 17.5%TogetherAbout 11½ years, de factoChildrenNone togetherNet poolAbout $320,000 plus superSplit82.5% her / 17.5% himFederal Circuit Court of Australia · 3 July 2019Read the case studyA woman holding keys stands in an empty, renovated living room.75% to her, 25% to him; super equalisedHer late inheritance counted, and so did what he tookTogether17 years, married in 2015ChildrenNone togetherNet poolAbout $738,000 plus superSplit75% her / 25% himFederal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) · 25 May 2023Read the case studyAn older tradesman stands alone at an unfinished building site at dusk.75% to him, 25% to herHis $200,000 inheritance was spent, so it could not be set asideTogetherAbout 7½ years, de factoChildrenNone togetherNet pool$2.3 million plus superSplit75% him / 25% herFederal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) · 9 September 2024Read the case studyA woman unlocks the front door of a small, plain weatherboard house.69% to her, 31% to him, outside superTwo work injuries, one house, and a payout after they splitTogetherAbout 13½ years, marriedChildrenNone togetherNet poolAbout $311,000 plus superSplit69% her / 31% himFederal Circuit Court of Australia · 5 September 2019Read the case study

Debts, spending & hidden assets

Gambling, money spent or hidden, debts and family violence, and how the court dealt with them.

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Two men at a patio table, one passing a folded paper to the other.58% to her, 42% to himHe said he owed $440,000, mostly to family. The court left it outTogetherDe facto, from 2004ChildrenThree, living with herNet poolAbout $628,000Split58% her / 42% himFederal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) · 29 March 2023Read the case studyA man seen from behind, alone at glowing poker machines late at night.67.5% to her, 32.5% to himHis gambling cost about $155,000, and the house split moved her wayTogetherAbout 16 years, marriedChildrenTwo, now adultsNet pool$649,000 plus superSplit67.5% her / 32.5% himFederal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) · 8 October 2021Read the case studyA man alone on an apartment balcony at dusk in the tropics, phone in hand.Net property to her, bar his tools and contentsHe traded shares on borrowed money, so he bore the lossesTogetherOver 20 years, de factoChildrenTwo, now adultsNet poolAbout $180,000SplitAll to her bar his toolsFederal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) · 9 May 2022Read the case studyA woman in a work uniform finding a bundle of papers in a drawer while clearing out a house.82.5% to her, 17.5% to him$2 million went through his hands. She was awarded 82.5% of the restTogetherAbout 22 years, marriedChildrenThree, now adultsNet poolAbout $1.22 millionSplit82.5% her / 17.5% himFederal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) · 15 December 2025Read the case studyA woman carrying a mop and bucket out of an empty house, a dog waiting at the gate.73% to her, 27% to himBreached orders, missing records, and 73% of the pool to herTogether16 years, marriedChildrenFour, living with herNet poolAbout $1.94 millionSplit73% her / 27% himFederal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) · 9 February 2026Read the case study

Unusual outcomes

Multi-million-dollar pools, splits of 90% or more, and family violence that changed the result.

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A young woman in a small car drops a man off at a factory gate before dawn.100% to herYears past the deadline, she still got 100% of the poolTogetherAbout 10 years, de factoChildrenThree, living with herNet poolAbout $618,000Split100% her / 0% himFederal Circuit Court of Australia · 24 December 2020Read the case studyA woman with a clipboard stands in a storage unit full of furniture, tools and boxes.80% to her, 20% to himHe redrew $622,500 and stayed away from court: 80% to herTogetherAbout 12 years, de factoChildrenOne son, living with herNet poolAbout $2.84 millionSplit80% her / 20% himFederal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1) · 15 September 2021Read the case studyA woman gardening in front of a row of guest units on a rural property looks up at the buildings.83% to her, 17% to himHer capital bought the business, his work rebuilt it: 83/17TogetherAbout 8 years, de factoChildrenEach had children beforeNet poolAbout $8.2 millionSplit83% her / 17% himFederal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) · 28 April 2023Read the case studyA woman drives two teenagers home along a leafy street, their school bags piled in the back seat.65% to her, 35% to him (on appeal)A $15 million pool, her parents' gifts and his career: 65% to herTogether18 years, marriedChildrenTwo teenagers, with herNet poolAbout $15.4 millionSplit65% her / 35% himFederal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1) Appellate Jurisdiction · 30 June 2023Read the case studyA woman holding a folder of papers looks through a wire fence at an empty development block with a parked excavator.100% of the known pool to her, upheld on appealHidden money and years of fear: 100% of the known pool to herTogetherAbout 26 years, marriedChildrenFour, youngest with herNet pool$2.6 million (known)Split100% her / 0% himFederal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) · 23 July 2025Read the case studyAn older woman holding a cup of tea looks over a verandah crowded with second-hand furniture and boxes.90% to her, 10% to his estateHe dissipated over $500,000, then died: her 90% restored on appealTogetherAbout 15 years, de factoChildrenNone togetherSplit90% her / 10% his estateResult$155,000 to his estateFederal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1) Appellate Jurisdiction · 24 April 2023Read the case study

Parenting

Moving away, time with each parent and children's views, under the parenting law since May 2024.

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Two school backpacks and two pairs of boys' sneakers beside the door of a Brisbane house, with a moving box in the hallway.Mother's application dismissed; equal time staysBack to court 18 months later, and stopped at the first stepTogetherMarried 2011 to 2019ChildrenTwo sons, 12 and 9ResultFinal orders unchangedFederal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) · 5 February 2025Read the case studyA father home from a work roster walks towards his son, seen from behind holding a football, in a regional airport car park.Father's time increased in eight-month stepsA father's long roster, a son who wanted more, and a slower build-upTogetherAbout 11 years, marriedChildrenOne son, aged 10ResultFather's time increasedFederal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) · 30 October 2025Read the case studyA mother and two girls, seen from behind with suitcases, walk along a leafy Perth street towards a grandfather at a gate.Allowed to move to Perth with the childrenMoving home to Perth with two daughters who disagreedTogetherMarried 2010 to 2015ChildrenTwo daughters, 13 and 11ResultAllowed to move to PerthFederal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) · 28 January 2025Read the case studyA boy seen from behind with a sports bag and instrument case walks out of a school gate alone on a Friday afternoon.Week-about kept; mother given sole decision-makingWeek-about stayed, but the mother got every big decisionTogetherMarried 2012 to 2021ChildrenOne son, aged 12ResultWeek-about; mother decidesFederal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) · 21 March 2025Read the case study

General information about Australian family law, not legal advice about your situation. Updated October 2026.